by the âAedesâ mosquito, have been reported in Palm Beach County. ... of travelers infected with the virus returning
The Abrams Agenda
Palm Beach County Commissioner Steven L. Abrams
March 2016
301 N. Olive Avenue, 12th Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33401 345 N. Congress Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33445 561-355-2204 (WPB) 561-276-1220 (DRB)
[email protected] www.pbcgov.org/abrams Facebook: Steven L. Abrams Twitter: @CommAbrams
Zika Virus Update County health and environmental officials are being vigilant in monitoring any local outbreaks of the Zika virus. So far, no cases of the virus, which is transmitted by the “Aedes” mosquito, have been reported in Palm Beach County. However, there is concern because it has been identified in neighboring Broward and MiamiDade Counties. The county’s Mosquito Control Division is taking a proactive approach in reducing the mosquito population and keeping the public informed. At the same time, the public is urged to follow some basic guidelines: Remove mosquito breeding sites by emptying water from flower posts, garbage cans, and any other type of containers that hold water
Aedes Mosquito
Wear protective clothing such as long pants and sleeves and apply a repellent, preferably one that contains “DEET”
Regularly flush containers such as birdbaths and wading pools to prevent them from becoming stagnant; keep pools chlorinated and filtered; stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish; cover rain barrels with screening; and check for standing water under houses near plumbing drains, air conditioner drip areas, and heat pumps. Also, clean roof gutters and change the water in outdoor pet dishes regularly
The Aedes mosquito is most active during the day and tends to stay close to their breeding site. They breed more in containers of water than in swamps. Because the Aedes mosquito does not live or reproduce in ditches, swales, lakes, marshes or swamps, ground and aerial insecticide spraying has limited effect for controlling populations. They are also quite adaptive to living in a close environment with humans, and will breed in water-holding containers as small as a bottle cap! Typically, Zika is a mild illness that resolves itself within a week, and only about one in five infected will develop symptoms (fever, rash, join pain and conjunctivitis). There are reports of birth defects associated with the virus in South America, so pregnant woman are at a much greater risk. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika. Also, the virus doesn’t start with the mosquito! The mosquito is infected when it bites a human with the virus. The virus is being spread by infected travelers entering the United States from high-risk areas such as Brazil. Just recently, there have been cases of travelers infected with the virus returning to Miami-Dade, and Broward counties. Click here for more information on high risk travel areas. Please feel free to contact my office should you have any questions or concerns. Also, I have provided additional links below that will provide more details on the Zika virus.
References and Additional Information: Palm Beach County Mosquito Control Division Florida Department of Health Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Abrams Agenda, Page 2
BCC Briefs for February 9, 2016 At the February 9, 2016, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board took the following action: Zika virus -- received an update from the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County and Environmental Resources Management on the mosquito-borne Zika virus. To date, no cases have been reported in Palm Beach County. As a precaution, when outside at night residents are advised to wear long pants and long-sleeve shirts, use insect repellent with DEET, and most importantly, eliminate standing water on their properties. Criminal Justice Commission – approved on first reading and to advertise for public hearing on March 1modifcations to the membership composition of the Criminal Justice Commission and the reporting relationship of its executive director to report to the county administrator. Infrastructure – discussed a series of backlogged countywide infrastructure projects and ways to generate the estimated $712 million needed to pay for them. Funding options include raising the ad valorem millage rate, going to voters with a general obligation bond referendum, or going to voters with a sales surtax referendum. Staff was directed to continue meeting with partners in the one-cent sales tax proposal -- the School District, Cultural Council, municipalities, and business leaders -- and bring back their project lists for further discussion. Fire Rescue – heard a presentation from fire union officials on a revenue-neutral emergency fire rescue services and facilities surtax and corresponding reduction in ad valorem tax levy. Board members agreed that more legal research was needed before deciding whether to place the referendum on the August ballot. Code Enforcement – approved one-year funding agreements with the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay in the amounts of $108,278, $66,465 and $51,474, respectively, to provide code enforcement services, including one additional code enforcement officer in each city. SHIP – approved FY 2015-16 State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) budget allocations totaling $4.961 million for affordable housing strategies. These are state funds that require no local match. Dakota Apartments – approved the sale of the Dakota Apartments project in the Abacoa development to PRCMVAL Acquisition, LLC and its assignee, PRCP-Abacoa Investment, LLC. The project received road impact fee assistance for 132 of the 142 rental units to ensure a 15-year affordability period, which the purchasers have committed to accept. Mounts Botanical Garden – approved an agreement extension through Sept. 30, 2016, with the Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden, Inc. to provide funding for a gardener position at Mounts Botanical Garden. Friends of the Mounts will provide 60 percent and the county 40 percent for a total not to exceed $39,328. Retirement – recognized and thanked Assistant County Administrator and Public Safety Director Vince Bonvento for his 44 years of service to the citizens of Palm Beach County and announced that the main conference room at the Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center will be named in his honor. ###
